s/o helmets

mel72

How do you know if they will need one?  DS has favored his right side ever since he was in the NICU.  I brought it up at our 1 month & 2 month but dr. just brushed it off saying his flat head is "cosmetic."  Needless to say we now have a new pedi for this and for other reasons.  She noticed it right away, felt around and said everything felt fine but to be even more aggressive w/ keeping him on his other side and she will check it at his 4 month in a few wks.

mrsolsenk12

It sounds like your new pedi is on the right track. From what I understand, they usually wait until they are around 4 months before talking about a helmet since before that they are on their backs almost all the time. I would keep an eye on it and try to get your DS to use his left side. Show him toys that way and lay him so he has to turn that way to look at you.  

mel72

thanks, d*mn first doctor!!

kittylove

Babywearing and the bumbo are also great ways to keep them from getting a flat spot and helping the flat side round out.

roaringrock

ginny's plagiocephaly "started" in my belly and she always favored her left side. we tried all the repositional therapies but nothing helped. she wore the headband/helmet for over 2 months. her head is not perfect but it is much improved and the asymmetry in her face is gone.

keep up with the repositioning! that works for many babies.

LucyPevensie

My pedi blew me off too - I sought a second opinion with a cranio-facial specialist at Children's Hospital - who promptly recommended a helmet.  I too was PISSSED at the pedi.

The whole "it's cosmetic" line of thinking is nuts.  So ... since it's just "cosmetic" ... you should not care that your baby's head is deformed and if repositioning doesn't work - it could stay that way for his whole life?  Terrific!   What an assshole. 

Jack was in a helmet for 15 weeks and we survived, he's out now and while his head is still not "perfect" - it is hugely improved and should continue to improve on its own now that we've helped it get back to the shape it was always supposed to be - and it can continue to grow that way on its own.

For you right now - aggressive repositioning is key.  Google "plagiocephaly repositioning" and you'll find some good information and tips.  Basically - you want to put everything interesting about baby's world on the side that is NOT flat - so he wants to turn his head that way.  You also want to move his head while he's sleeping - off of the flat spot. 

Some babies skulls are softer than others so they are more affected by this.  It's not your fault.  I noticed Jack's head around 2 months old too - and began a very aggressive campaign to keep him off the flat spot and to help stretch out his neck so he could more easily look to the other side.  I was successful in resolving his torticollis (the neck tightness) without having to go to physical therapy - but could not resolve the flat spot.  Pedi blew off my concerns at his 4 month appointment - I got in with specialist when he was a little over 5 months old - then after appointments and fittings for helmet - got it on his when he was just over 6 months old. 

Trust your mommy gut.  And keep an eye on his forehead - if you notice it bulging on the same side where the flat spot is in back - and if you notice the ear on that side appearing to be more forward than the other ear - that is cause for concern - and generally means you need a helmet to correct the plagiocephaly. 

mel72

thanks for all the great info!!